I'd be mad to leave Maidstone United now, admits Walker

The pair have led the Stones to back-to-back titles as the club emulate what Ramsgate did last year - climbing from the Kent League into the Ryman Premier League in just two seasons.

But Walker issued the following statement on the club’s official website ww.maidstoneunited.co.uk insisting the pair are staying at the club.

“I’ve no idea where these rumours have come from,” he said.

“Lloyd and I are meeting with the chairman next week to discuss next season but we are desperate to stay with Maidstone United and get the club as far up the pyramid as possible.

“I’d be mad to leave the club at the moment following promotion to the Ryman Premier and the new ground.

“We won the league this season with a much lower budget compared to the likes of Dartford and Dover, we’ve done miracles really.

“The boys took a 25% wage cut in November but they were fantastic about it and it really galvanised them. They rolled their sleeves up and showed what they could do.

“They stayed when it would have been easy to walk and got their rewards with many picking up back-to-back championship medals.”

The joint-managers are determined to bring success for the club and want it to be competitive for next season.

“No one wants us to struggle next season and be one of the bottom clubs in that division,” said Walker.

“We’ve got to sit down with the chairman and discuss options. The last thing me and Lloyd wants is to be ten games into the season, find ourselves struggling and our future in question. There’s lots of people who would jump at the chance of managing Maidstone United.

“We could way away now with our heads held high and yes there’s bound to be rumour and speculation about our future, after back-to-back promotions.

“In fairness the chairman has been absolutely 100% brilliant in his dealings with Lloyd and myself. When we first arrived there were some issues but he showed tremendous faith in us and we’re not going to forget that lightly.

“So once again I’ll say hand on heart, I’ve not been contacted by other clubs. Lloyd and myself haven’t agreed anything with the chairman as yet but I’ve got a gut feeling we will reach an agreement.

“We want to be part of this club’s immediate and foreseeable future and we’ll be discussing that on our return from Spain.”

Article courtesy of www.maidstoneunited.co.uk